Microsoft Home Networking Wireless Notebook Kit

by Microsoft

Product Details

Product Manual [1.56mb PDF]

• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00006IJO9
• Item model number: L21-00005
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: September 19, 2002

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

The Microsoft wireless notebook networking kit comes with a wireless base station and wireless PC Card adapter. The kit makes it easy to add a notebook computer to your 801.11b network. Share a broadband connection by connecting to the base station, share files and printers with other computers on your network, and play games with multiple players on the Internet.

The wireless notebook adapter comes with an easy-to-use setup wizard, designed to make connecting your computers easier. It has strong security features, including 128-bit wireless WEP security, and support for 802.1x standards. The Microsoft broadband network utility makes it easy to monitor your network status.

The base station also features an easy-to-use setup wizard. The router comes with strong security features, including a built-in firewall, Network Address Translation (NAT), and access control lists. The 4-port router easily connects to your network using universal plug-and-play technology to allow voice messaging, video messaging, games, and more. You can also monitor your network status easily with Microsoft's broadband network utility.

System requirements include: a computer running Windows 98, 98 SE, 2000 Professional, Me, or XP Home or Professional editions; Internet Explorer 5.0 or later (setup will install Internet Explorer 6.0 browser components, if necessary, but will not displace your primary browser); 28 MB of available hard disk space if you already have Internet Explorer 5.5 or 6.0 (132 MB of available hard disk space if you are installing Internet Explorer for the first time); a 4x or faster CD-ROM drive; and a VGA or higher-resolution monitor.

Product Description

The Microsoft Wireless Notebook Kit includes everything you need to set up a secure wireless network between a desktop and a notebook computer. And the included software makes it simple to connect the computers to the internet through a single broadband connection, such as a cable or DSL modem. . Easy to use setup wizard helps you quickly connect computers and set up your network in minutes. . Creates an 802.11b/Wi-Fi wireless network to connect multiple computers to your broadband connection. . Includes an integrated 4-port Ethernet switch to add up to four wired computers to your network. . Connects your notebook computer to wireless 802.11b/Wi-Fi networks in airports, cafes, hotels, and at work. . Transfers data faster. . Enables you to share files and printers with other computers on the network. . Provides strong security features including a hardware firewall. . Supports virtual private networking. . Lets you play games with multiple players on the internet and within your own network.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Boy, was this easy!, November 19, 2003

By 

Regular Dad (Washington State) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Microsoft Home Networking Wireless Notebook Kit (Personal Computers)

I bought this to allow my wife wireless access to our DSL internet line; she has my old laptop running Win98 and I just bought a new desktop with XP Pro. I nosed around and considered some Linksys components, but after reading the reviews here on the Microsoft system I went ahead and got it. Installation was very easy and it worked first time.

Following the recommendations of some other users here, I went ahead and downloaded the updates for the base system during installation, but it installed without a hitch, and putting the notebook adapter on the laptop (a Dell Inspiron 7000 running Win98) was a snap. The Microsoft installation CD has you put the network information on a floppy, so you don't even need to write down or remember any network addresses; when you install the adapter on the notebook, it just takes that information off the floppy.

I have a low frustration threshold and I'm not real comfortable with installing and configuring stuff like this, so I was a little worried, but it all went very smoothly, so a few days later I bought a USB adapter for my other, even older, desktop so my kids could access the DSL line while on it. It was just as easy and works just as well. I have to give this product the 5 star thumbs up.

24 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Easy to setup!!! Excellent & Reliable product!!!!, February 26, 2003

By 

Kaya (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Microsoft Home Networking Wireless Notebook Kit (Personal Computers)

After doing much research, I've decided to go with Microsoft Wireless notebook kit mainly because I am running XP both on my laptop and my PC and I didn't want to experience too much compatibility issues. I had experienced problem when setting up my base station with the PC (couldn't detect internet connection), a quick phone call to Miscrosoft's 24 HOURS support at 12 midnight fixed the problem. Turns out that all I had to do was to unplug power cord of my modem and the base station for 5 mins and VIOLA!! everything runs perfectly!!

Setting up the adapter on my laptop only took me 5 mins. No configuration needed, hardware detects base station right away!!

I would recommend this product to everyone who's thinking about setting up wireless and wired lan!! Great product with reasonable price and best of all you get 2 years worth of 24 HOURS customer support from good old Gates! Can't complain with all this.

P.S. Yes!! You do need to download the patch from the support website.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Product, October 31, 2003

By 

Jim (Southern US) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Microsoft Home Networking Wireless Notebook Kit (Personal Computers)

Like many out there, I was biased by the fact that this is a Microsoft system. Throughout the years, I too have grown to greatly dislike anything from Microsoft. Man, was I shocked with this product! Everything works flawlessly.

I first purchased the Linksys wireless kit, but it gave me the same problems everyone else was saying, "no signal range, and the support is terrible." When I called Linksys customer support, someone from another country basically was typing every question I said into a search engine, and was then reading the screen. They appeared to have absolutely no technical knowledge. After several hours of tech support (long hold times), I immediately brought the router and card back. My time is simply worth way more than any savings they could give me on the cheaper system.

Then, after much research this time, I purchased the Microsoft kit. It installed very quickly on XP (desktop) and believe it or not, even quicker on Windows 2000 (laptop)--go figure. The 128 (or 64) encryption was also a breeze to setup. Also, with the router located in the identical location the Linksys router was previously in, I was able to reach every corner of my house. Believe me, I tried everything with the Linksys. The Microsoft system software is intelligent enough to give up transfer speed to maintain signal strength. This is great! After all, who cares that they can transfer at full speed half of the time if you need to reboot the router and computer the other half of the time. Even at the reduced transfer speeds (~2 Mbits/s), it's still faster than my broadband connection at 1.5 Mbits/s. I tried everything with the Linksys, but the Microsoft system lived up to the hype. I still think they are too much of a monopoly, but to end the frustrations with this issue, they can stay a monopoly for now. I'm using it now, and it's great.